sher_panjabi

i thought everyone knew that? loads of documentaries have come about on television (in UK), highlighting: 1) Slaughter houses are not killing animals properly 2) Animals in meat factorys or farms are kept cooped up and the storage space is unsuitable -- resulting in animals suffering and some dying of suffocation 3) Meat which goes off is sometimes brought by dodgey butchers who bleach the gone off meat, restoring the white colour to the meat... hence you have "dead cheap" (no pun intended) meat available in some shops. 4) Vegetarian animals like cows were fed meat (left over meat from restaurants) which caused foot and mouth disease, and also mad-cow disease. 5) So many injections and chemicals are put into meat to fatten them up quickly (unfortunately this is also done to fruit and veg as well) I think generally it is growing trend of buying "free range" meat and eggs and more english people are becoming vegetarians or exploring non-meat alternatives due to the health scares. As responsible sikhs we should be aware of "ALL" health issues including the consequences of eating certain food etc... It is not an issue (or lets not make it an issue) of whether eating meat is ethically right or wrong -- even Guru Granth Sahib ji illustrates that arguing over being vegetarian makes one more religious or whether eating meat makes one more "religious" is a pity argument, which we should avoid. As responsible Sikhs we should be aware of the Health issues... health effects our body, and our body effects our mind and mind effects our spirituality. Bhul chuk maaf karnee ji

Panthic Alert --- Bhangra & Namdhari Banners in Nagar Kirtan

Moving message from Tapoban Sahib Forum:

Sheltered orphans once again homeless Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 26 A group of hapless children among 40 orphans, who have been rendered homeless following the demolition of a gurdwara in Dadu Majra, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan Nature was unkind enough to 40 orphans residing in the gurdwara of Dadumajra away from the lap of their mothers and support of their fathers. The rule of the land dealt another severe blow to them today when a bulldozer trampled upon their temporary site of refuge as part of the anti-encroachment drive. Innocent faces of children gazed into infinity as one muttered “where will we go now”? “I don’t know. The God gave us this place to live for four years when we had no doors to knock for help. He surely will have ordained some alternative for us,” said Ms Baljinder Kaur, a widow engaged in taking care of the children. “We were taken to the Old Age Home in Sector 15 where we were given some food. There was no place to house us. We are once again back on road,” she said. A sevadar said, “There are so many gurdwaras in the city and a majority of them are flooded with donations in cash and kind. I hope they are concerned enough about the fate of the tragedy-stricken children. We are sitting on the road since morning. However, no one has volunteered help.” The gurdwara, built more than 20 years ago, also housed four caretakers for children. One of inmates here was a girl, who has been rendered a “vegetable” because of the failure of her nervous control over her body. She is here for the past three years. She cannot speak or communicate any of her needs. Rajbir Kaur was studying in a school on the encroached area, which, too, has been demolished. “I am a student of class IX. I belong to Dhaliwal Beth village in Kapurthala. I don’t have my parents so I came here about four years ago”. Manpreet Kaur, a 10-year-old, does not know which place she belongs to. “I am told that I was left here by my paternal aunt, who lives in Patiala. I don’t have any dreams. I am sure that we will find some place to hide our heads. I have many friends with me who will be my pillar of strength through any ordeal.” Kuldeep Kaur said, “I belong to Gurdaspur and am told that my father died in a police encounter. I have never seen my mother. I pray that the God should never separate children from their parents.” Amanpreet Kaur, who belongs to Amritsar district, said, “I don’t remember my parents. I am studying to be able to stand on my own. I will always remember my struggle in case I am successful. I will definitely do something for children who are suffering on account of no family support”. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050427/cth1.htm#3

Angel Izraheel is from Abrahamic religion in particular Islam

Guru Nanak Ji spoke the language of the people. Guru Granth Sahib ji uses the culture, mythology and practices of people (e.g. hindus and muslims) to explain the True Message. For example Guru Granth Sahib ji refers to Heaven and Hell. However, same time it says Heaven is where the Sangat is and Hell is separation from Waheguru. THe concept of Hell in India is a place where there is extreme heat and fire. The concept of Hell in Nepal is a place where there is extreme coldness and person freezes in pain. Region to region these concepts meanings alter... who is right? Gurbaani uses these concepts, imagery, metaphors to explain Sach (truth) to us. Just like we would use examples from British culture, everyday things we do etc. God gives life... God takes away life... Dharam Raaj = according to Indian mythology weighs good and bad .... so that is what our Conscience does! Chitar and Gupt = record our good and bad actions according to Indian mythology. ... so that is what our sub-conscious does! hope that helps to put a perspective on things.

Well so called Sikhs who are influenced by Radha Soami and Naamdharis (Kooke) both read and you might argue they believe in Gurbaani. However they don't believe Gurbaani is a Guru (i.e. a spiritual guide). Radha Soamis say: "Gurbaani is great. However how will you be liberated with gurbaani alone? You need someone to explain Gurbaani to you in person... you need a living Guru." Naamdhari rever the shabad and gurbaani. They do kirtan and read gurbaani. However they belief it is false and a big lie that Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave guruship to Sri Granth Sahib. They believe that Guru Gobind Singh ji lived up 116 years and passed guruship to an elevanth Guru "Balak Singh". Radha Soami and Namdhari argue that Sikhs are deluded and have no proof that Guru Gobind Singh ji gave gurgaddi to Guru Granth Sahib ji and argue that the only one thin which Sikhs based this view on is the line: "Sabh Sikhan Kau Hukam Hai, Guroo Maniyau Granth" which Radha Soami and Namdhari argue is made up by Sikhs after Guru ji's death. So for argument sake, imagine that the dohira we sing after Ardaas is made up by Sikhs... so does that imply that its a false lie that GUru Granth sahib ji is Guru? If these anti-panthic groups which read and preach gurbaani (to join sangat to the self-proclaimed guru) actually read Gurbaani carefully they would realise that irrespective of historical accounts or not - Guru Granth Sahib ji has been Guru since Guru Nanak Sahib ji... this was made a physical reality by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

perhaps when u sleep put one kanga in your pocket (thats if you were a night suite/ kurta pyjama/ jogging bottoms) when going to sleep. Or when sleeping tie the Kanga around your kirpaan... then in mornin when u comb your hair, place the Kanga in your Kesh.

http://www.panthic.org/news/129/ARTICLE/1275/2005-04-24.html Who says 'Sri Granth' is Guru? by Manvir Singh Khalsa In 2004 we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first prakaash of the Aad Granth Sahib Ji. In 2004 we celebrated 400 years of the completion of Aad Granth Sahib Ji, which was dictated and compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. In 2004 we celebrated that for 400 years we have been bestowed upon us an invaluable treasure by Vaheguru. However, amongst the celebrations, the joy and atmosphere of optimism and enlightenment, there are certain groups of people who are cunningly and cleverly trying to break the stability of the Sikh Panth (nation) and make vulnerable Sikhs turn away from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to make them into gullible customers of fake holy men and self proclaimed Satgurus. Radha Soamis, Nirankaris (known as Narakdharis), the RSS, Piaara Singh Bhaniaara, Naamdharis (Kookas), Ashutosh (Noormeliaa), and a growing number of "Sants" and fake "holy men", are some of those who spread the cancer of luring uneducated Sikh women and their families into becoming their followers, in an attempt to weaken the Panth (Nation) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. "How can a ‘book’ be your Guru?" and "Which Guru said that ‘Shabad Guru’ is the Guru of the Sikhs?" are common challenges made to Sikhs by the followers of these self-proclaimed Satgurus to Sikhs. "Gurus and holy men have come in the past, they are here now, and there will be more in the future. You don’t need Guru Granth Sahib." "Take [the initiation of] Naam and accept the living Guru as your Guru. Without a Guru you cannot attain salvation. A "book" alone cannot do anything! You must have someone to explain it to you!" Those that doubt Guru Granth Sahib Ji to be the Guru of the Sikhs and who instead have been lured in by the sweet talk and appearance of self-proclaimed god men fire these questions at us. However, the paradox is that they claim Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not a Guru and that Gurbaani (the Divine Word revealed through the Guru) cannot enlighten us or liberate us. On the other hand, most of these self-proclaimed fake Satgurus give ‘Naam’ to their followers on initiation. ‘Naam’ given by these fake god men consists of shabads (divine hymns) or words, which are from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and are given in private to the followers to recite in secret and not to tell anyone else what they have been given. The sermons of these fake God men expand on shabads from Gurbaani. Why? If they believe Gurbaani contains no salvation then why us it in preaching? "How can a ‘book’ be your Guru? Which Guru said the ‘Shabad Guru’ is the Guru of the Sikhs?" The fools who ask this are ignorant about Gurbaani. Not only did Guru Gobind Singh Ji declare Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the Guru but even the Sikh Gurus before him declared that the Shabad Guru, Gurbaani, is the Guru. Guru Nanak Sahib Ji says, jYsI mY AwvY Ksm kI bwxI qYsVw krI igAwnu vy lwlo ] "As the Lord’s word comes to me, Lalo, so I deliver it." (Ang 722, SGGS) Gurbaani has been revealed by Vaheguru through the human living Gurus. Vaheguru spoke through Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Even Guru Nanak Sahib Ji states that his Guru is the ‘Shabad’, the Divine Word. Guru Ji says: sbdu guru suriq Duin cylw ] "The Divine Word is the Guru, and my mind in reflective meditation, the disciple" (Ang 943, SGGS). The self-proclaimed fake Satgurus say that without them the world will go mad and that they cannot get salvation. However, one day they will die. Another Guru will come. Then he will die and another Guru will come. But the Guru of Gurus, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji says: sbdu gur pIrw gihr gMBIrw ibnu sbdY jgu baurwnw ] ”The profound and unfathomable ‘Shabad’ is his Guru and spiritual guide. Without the ‘Shabad’ the world is gone mad." (Ang 635, SGGS) The Shabad Guru is everlasting. The Kings who lived 400 years ago have all died and others take the throne. The Kings who live 200 years ago have all died and new ones are born and appointed. However, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the only King of Kings who still with us after 400 years. The Shabad Guru has not died nor will die in the future. The Shabad Guru is eternal. Why choose a Guru who will die one day and you will end up having to choose another Guru. Why not choose a Guru who will never die and will be forever with you? Guru Amar Daas Sahib Ji, the Third Nanak, goes one step forward in describing Gurbaani, the Shabad, the Divine Word, as the embodiment of the Truth, the embodiment of Vaheguru (the wondrous Lord) Himself. vwhu vwhu bwxI inrMkwr hY iqsu jyvfu Avru n koie] "Hail, Hail, the Word of the Guru, which is the embodiment of the Formless Lord Himself; there is none other, nothing else to be reckoned equal to it." (Ang 515, SGGS) Where there is the Word of God, there is God Himself. Where is there is the Truth, there the True One pervades: s`c KMif vsY inrMkwru] "In the realm of truth (where truth pervades), there pervades the Formless Lord." (Guru Nanak Sahib, Japji Sahib, Ang 8, SGGS) Guru Raam Daas Sahib Ji, the Fourth Nanak, proclaims: bwxI gurU gurU hY bwxI ivic bwxI AMimRq swry] ‘Baani’, the Word of God, is the Guru, the Guru is Baani, in ‘Baani’ is Amrit, the nectar of life." (Ang 982, SGGS) Not only is Gurbaani the Guru and the Guru is Gurbaani, but also within Gurbaani, within the Shabad Guru Vaheguru has placed Amrit, the nectar of life. People say who says that the Shabad Guru is the Guru of the Sikhs and argue where is the proof that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji left eternal Guruship with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Guru himself has said, well my Guru is Gurbaani! If we follow the true path of the Gurus then Gurbaani is our Guru as well. Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji, the Fifth Nanak, reiterates the message of the First Nanak that whatever is written in Gurbaani, the message of the Shabad Guru, is not from the Guru himself but it is direct from Vaheguru: hau Awphu boil n jwxdw mY kihAw sBu hkmwau jIau] "I myself know not what to say; all I speak is what the Lord commands/" (Ang 763, SGGS) Through Gurbaani, the Shabad, the Divine Word, Vaheguru speaks to us. The Formless Vaheguru communicated to the world through speaking through the das saroop (ten bodies) of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Now the Formless communicates to us through the written word. The Guru is the embodiment of Vaheguru Himself. If we still have doubt whether Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is just a mere "Book", then Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s voice speaks to us through Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and says: poQI prmysr kw Qwnu] "The Divine Scripture (Sri Granth Sahib) is the meeting place where one can meet the Transcendent Lord God." (Ang 1226, SGGS) The Guru is saying that it is not just a "book", but recognises it as the ‘meeting place to meet the Transcendent Lord God’. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaaj does not say anything new when he said the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Gurbaani, the Shabad, the Divine Word is the Guru. Time after time the Sikh Gurus explained and re-emphasised that the Shabad, that Gurbaani is the Guru. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji beautifully said when leaving eternal Guruship with Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji: dUsrw rUp gRMQ jI jwn, aun ky AMg myro kr mwn] jo isK gur drSn kI cwh, drSn kroN gRMQ jI Awh] jo mn swQ cwho kr bwq, gRMQ jI pVy bIcwry swQ] jo muJ bcn sunn kw cwhy, gRMQ jI pVy suxy icq lwih] myro rUp gMRQ jI jwn, ies mn Byd nhIN kC mwn] "The Granth is second myself (referring to Sri Guru Granth, not Dasam Granth which was compiled later by Bhai Mani Singh), it should be taken for me. A Sikh who wants to see me, should a look at the Granth. One who wishes to talk to me, should read the Granth and think it over. One who is anxious to listen to me talk, he or she should read the Granth and listen to its recitation with attention. Consider the Granth as my ownself. Have not the least doubt about it." Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji and Bhai Prahlad Singh Ji were some of the Gursikhs present when Guruship was left with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and they have recorded what Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s instructions were at the time. Bhai Prahlad Singh Ji records Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji saying in a Rehatnaama: AwigAw BeI Akwl kI qbY clwXo pMQ] sB isKn ko hukm hY guru mwinXo gRMQ] gurU gRMQ jI mwnXo pRgt gurW kI dyh] jo pRB ko imlbo chY Koj sbid mY lyh] "The Will of God hath ordained the order of the Khalsa. This is the final commandment to all the Sikhs: accept the Granth as the Guru. Deem the revered Guru Granth as the visible body of the Gurus. Whosoever desires to feel Vaheguru’s presence search and merge in the Revelation itself." This command by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji has also been recorded by Giani Gian Singh Ji in his book, "Tavaareek Khalsa" (1891), pg. 365. Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji who was also present at Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nander, when guruship was left with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji states: jo gur kw isK AKwey, Aqy Sbd gRMQ swihb jI dw guru krky nw mMny, AwpxI mwieAw dy hMkwr ivc glqwn rhy] "One who claims to be a Sikh of the Guru, but does not accept Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Guru, they will forever remain deluded by their egotistical attachment to Maya (the relative world)." As long as we hold on the support of Gurbaani, no power can shake the ground we stand on. As long as we read and understand Shabad Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, no group, person or government can make us tremble. As long as we remain faithful to the Guru Granth and the Guru Panth (Sikh Nation), no power in the world, no cancer in the world, no problem in the world can touch our shadows. The day we let go of Shabad Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji; the day we turn our back on our Father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji; the day we stop respecting, reading, understanding and living Gurbaani then we are finished and we would have dug our own graves. gur kI kIriq jpIAY hir nwau ] gur kI Bgiq sdw gux gwau ] gur kI suriq inkit kir jwnu ] gur kw sbdu siq kir mwnu ]2] "This is the Guru's Praise, to chant the Name of the Lord. This is devotion to the Guru, to sing forever the Glorious Praises of the Lord. This is contemplation upon the Guru, to know that the Lord is close at hand. Accept the Word of the Guru's Shabad as Truth. ||2||" (Ang 897) Awpy siqguru myly pUrw ] scY sbid mhwbl sUrw ] Awpy myly dy vifAweI scy isau icqu lwiedw ]9] “The Perfect Lord Himself unites them with the True Guru. Through the True Word of the Shabad, he makes them brave spiritual heroes. Uniting them with Himself, He bestows glorious greatness; He inspires them to focus their consciousness on the True Lord. ||9||” (Ang 1060) May Vaheguru bless us all. Be inspired and inspire others. manvir_singh_khalsa@yahoo.co.uk

100% agree with ranz_killa !! When I see a Bibi wearing a Keski / Dastaar... I see Mata Sahib Kaur in them... I see the Mata Bhaag Kaur's of today, I see the granddaughters of Maa Gujri Kaur Ji and the daughters of Guru Ji.

when tying your joora... also tie the corner of keski into the joora... this will ensure that the keski doesn't slip off while you sleep (this used to happen to me, but then i saw the video on the net on how to tie a keski on sikhifm.com so from then on my keski is always on my head )

I have a (thick) piece of black (can be any colour) thread which is about 20cm or so long. Feed the thread through the middle of the kanga... and then tie a knot. (Make sure its tight - you might wanna wrap the thread twice around the Kanga)... then place it in ur kesh and when you have done your gutaa (hair knot) then wrap the thread around it. Your kanga then will then be safe and sound

There are weekly Amrit Sanchaars at: * Takhat Sri Dam Dama Sahib, Sabo Ki Talwindi, Bathinda * Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib * Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar * Other large historical Gurdwaras managed by SGPC in Panjab THe Amrit Sanchaars are every Sunday and Wednesday commencing 12pm (make sure you are there slighly before 12pm ... at 12pm those seeking to take Amrit are taking to the Amrit Sanchaar Room).

http://www.tapoban.org/phorum/read.ppa?f=1&i=34202&t=34202

sorry didn't mean to cause offense. Udhaa its a good question.

Is "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh" written in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji? Are the following written in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji: - Karhah Parshaad - Nishaan Sahib - Sukhaasan - Prakaash - Gurpurb Just because something is not recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji doesn't mean it is not part of Gursikhi. To my knowledge Jaikaara of Bole So Nihaal started from Sri Hargobind ji, sixth nanak's time. It is recorded in Sikh Rehat Maryada as well.

LOL!!! OMG this is soo funny the Veer jis from RDB are out of breath when talkin!!! Bechaarae they should catch their breath before talkin.

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Dals (buddha dal and tarna dal) = created by Nawab Kapoor Singh, which was needed to defend the Sikh community and Gurdwaras at the time. More info on the budha dal website

The whole point of having the Guru Khalsa Panth is that it can evolve, make decisions and update Rehat according to the Khalsa's decision. Whether Buddha Dal's Maryada is older or not - what relevance does that have? Is Buddha Dal the Sikh's highes authority? Was Buddha Dal created by the Sixth Guru and made a place for Sikhs to make decisions and deal with temporal issues? Does Buddha Dal represent the Khalsa Panth?

Naam is the seed. The mind and body is the field. Good actions, living in accordance to the Guru's Rehat = like ploughing a field.... so the seed is more likely to flourish and grow and the crop's quality will be better! Bad actions and not living according to Rehat = like a field which is not fertilised and ploughed and the seed may not flourish or if it grows the quality of the grown crop is not as good as the fertilised soil's crop. Hope that helps. Gurbaani uses this anology of Naam being the seed which becomes the crop... and your mind being the field which has to be ploughed and looked after in order for good crop to grow for you to use and enjoy.

agree with All-Info We should primarily follow the basic Panthic Rehat approved by Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib ji and follow the Rehat which is instructed to us by the Panj Piaare.

agree with Taksali_Singh hands should be open flat and touching the ground and also fore-head should touch ground. Reason for having hands open flat and touching grand: 1) Like Taksali_singh veer ji said, that you are touching the Sadh Sangat's Charan Dhoor (the dust of their feet) 2) You are expressing that you are placing everything before Guru Ji - i.e. you are submitting your mind and body to the Guru. ...... having your hands closed or turn with palm up = expression showing that you have something in your hands... opening the palm and placing down = giving expression 3) This what a Giani Ji told me - false or true i don't know. Our forehead and palms have the lines of our destiny written on them (we don't read them but rather have faith in Waheguru). When doing Matha we place our forehead and palms to the ground expressing that we are submitting our destiny in the hands of the Guru. Matha Tekh = expression of our love and submission to Guru Ji, which is not merely a physical act, but involves humbling the mind and lowering our intellect infront of Guru ji.